Chapter III 
COVERED OR ARCHED NESTS ON GROUND 
Part I.—IN OPEN COUNTRY 
289. Bob-white; Quail: Colinus virginianus (Linn.) 
Eggs white; nest rarely and but roughly arched. 
See Page 35, Chapter I. 
501. Meadowlark: Sturnella magna (Linn.) 
Aduit—Summer plumage: Back and head warm lightish brown, 
marked with black and brown; yellow line from the bill 
over the eye, dark brown line from eye to back of neck; 
throat and breast bright yellow, with black crescent on 
breast beginning above bend of wing; tail—outside feathers 
white or partly white, middle feathers light brown with dark 
transverse markings. The winter plumage is much less 
brilliant. Length—1o.75. 
Breeding Range—Throughout the Eastern States. 
The nest is built on the ground in open fields, generally 
where there is high grass or young grain. It is formed of grass 
and is frequently arched or partly so. 
The eggs, varying from 4 to6 in number, are white, speckled 
chiefly at the larger end with reddish brown and lilac. Size— 
1.10x.80. See Fig. 7, Plate C. 
The Meadowlark’s nest is not easy to find, even where the 
birds are plentiful, and unless the old bird is seen to rise from it, 
and the place is then very carefully marked, many weary miles 
may be walked through grassy fields without a nest being dis- 
covered. Built entirely of grass, and placed in a tuft of tall grass 
or grain, it is difficult to see even when the nest is an open one, 
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